What is the IFRA Code of Practice?

The IFRA Code of Practice is a comprehensive document that supports the IFRA commitment to provide products that are safe for use by the consumer and to the environment.

The Code of Practice applies to the manufacture and handling of all fragrance materials, for all types of applications and contains the full set of IFRA Standards. Abiding by the IFRA Code of Practice is a prerequisite for all fragrance supplier companies that are members of IFRA (either directly or through national associations).
The majority of client companies (including producers of toiletries and household products) expect their fragrances to comply with IFRA Standards as set out in the Code.

The last review of the IFRA Code was adopted by the General Assembly on October 25, 2006. Some of the most important Amendments included in the revised Code of Practice are references to new policies that IFRA has adopted such as the new Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) method for fragrance sensitizers, the Compliance Program, the requirements for fragrances used in children’s toys and the potential skin effects of oral care.

IFRA Standards are based on an objective safety assessment of individual fragrance ingredients conducted by REXPAN (RIFM’s independent Expert Panel). Conclusions from this process are used to establish safe use levels of fragrance materials. If usage limitation is recommended by REXPAN, an IFRA Standard is developed that can restrict or ban the use of an individual ingredient.

REXPAN’s assessments are based on all relevant data, including fragrance material manufacturer safety data, published data, and tests commissioned by RIFM itself. On the basis of evaluations of over 1000 materials, IFRA has banned or restricted the use of approximatly 150 substances. Amendments to the Code, if required, are issued annually, based on new scientific developments. These contain either new usage restrictions or revisions of existing usage restrictions.

The IFRA Code of Practice is distributed worldwide and is in the hands of all member associations and their member companies, including many governmental regulatory bodies and many other stakeholders.

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